Transformers Event News on Seibertron.com

Upcoming Fewture Releases: Giant Unicron Head, Alpha Trion, and More

Date: Saturday, February 8th 2014 10:25pm CST
Categories: Toy News, Event News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): 2Chan

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Views: 29,130

Also on hand at Wonderfest are Fewture by Art Storm, who are showing off several new releases. It looks like we can look forward to Alpha Trion, Optimus Prime, and Grimlock non-transforming figures, super-deformed Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime, and a giant replica Unicron head! Images mirrored below courtesy of 2Chan.

BotCon 2014 TFCC Cannonball Figure Mold Revealed

Date: Friday, February 7th 2014 8:07am CST
Categories: Toy News, Event News, Collector's Club News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): TFCC Magazine, AllSpark.com

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Views: 29,493

Thanks to fellow Seibertron.com member Sabrblade, we have some interesting news about the recently revealed leader of the Pirate faction in this year's BotCon fiction, Cannonball. The news comes from the TCC magazine, currently being delivered to members. We are not able to show pictures, as per the Club's request, but here's the reveal:


Cannonball will be a redeco of Prime: Robots in Disguise Ratchet, with a new head mold!



A fan who has received the magazine describes it as follows: Vehicle mode is black with silver for the fenders, bumpers, etc, and silver stylized skeletons drawn on the sides and top. Robot mode is also mostly black & silver, with what appears to be the typical Cannonball color (not sure if it's orange, green or what with my defective eyes) on the thighs, shoulders and upper arms. Head looks like Cybertron cannonball (I.e. Cybertron red alert) with typical visor and mouth.

This still seems not to explain the alternate head found in the Ratchet instructions, pictured below.



Additionally, Jesse Wittenrich, writer of last year and this year's magazine comic, explained their choice of the mold at fellow fansite AllSpark.com:

The very first toy explored for Cannonball was Breakdown. Because on the face of it, it seems perfect.

But after playing around with the transformation, how that related to the deco, the mold layout, and the exaggerated proportions (tiny head is tiny!), it didn't really work. Ratchet was actually the third option explored, but the robot mode was just perfect for him. Vehicle mode coincidentally became another emergency vehicle which some fans may like...and others not so much.

Bumblebee And A Special Optimus Prime On Display For Wal*Mart

Date: Friday, February 7th 2014 5:37am CST
Categories: Movie Related News, Toy News, Event News, Store News
Posted by: Autobot032 | Credit(s): Transformers Cars Facebook

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Views: 44,280

The Tranformers Cars Facebook has posted an image of Bumblebee (the 2007 Camaro) on display in front of store shelving, with Age Of Extinction backing cards on display to showcase how the toys will be presented in stores. Works kind of like what Wal*Mart calls a "planogram".

But, that's not all! In the image, is a movie Optimus head, sitting upon a G1-esque body!

We've included both pictures below for your ease of viewing.





Keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates, plus the best galleries around!

BotCon 2014 "Who is Squirm?"

Date: Thursday, February 6th 2014 8:57am CST
Categories: Event News, Collector's Club News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): BotCon

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Views: 21,118

The Official BotCon Twitter feed just posted a rather cryptic message and image, both of which we've mirrored below. This year's theme is Pirates vs. Knights, so just who is this organic called Squirm? Check him out below.

The BotCon 2014 is taking place in Pasadena on 19th-22nd June.

So the question is... Who is Squirm? #PVK

Every Captain needs a crew... #PVK

Images and Video from Asahikawa 55th Snow Sculpture Festival Featuring Transformers Sculptures

Date: Thursday, February 6th 2014 7:54am CST
Category: Event News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): Twitter user Akira T 2716, YouTube user North44asahi

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Views: 15,729

Courtesy of Twitter user Akira T 2716 and YouTube user North44asahi we have images and video from the 55th Asahikawa Snow Sculpture Festival. Takara Tomy has a presence at this event and had several Transformer snow sculptures created including an over 20 meter tall depiction of Optimus Prime/Convoy, which took center stage during the laser and fireworks show. Check out the images and video embedded below.

Images and Displays From Hasbro Trans­formers Expo Malaysia 2014

Date: Wednesday, February 5th 2014 10:43am CST
Category: Event News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): TransMY, gema

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Views: 22,249

We mentioned, a while back, that one of the biggest conventions in Asia to date was going to take place in Genting, Malaysia. Well, fellow Seibertronian gema, part of the TransMY community, was there, and took photos of the props, replicas, originals and -- over 1670 figures from different toylines, G1 to movieverse! Take a look below at some of the photos from the seriously impressive show, which will be joining on 15th of February, the Malaysia Book Of Records for most figures displayed at a single exhibition.

BotCon 2014 Hotel Reservations - Sheraton and Hilton

Date: Monday, February 3rd 2014 3:32pm CST
Category: Event News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): BotCon

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The official BotCon 2014, taking place in Pasadena on 19th-22nd June, have their own reserved block in not one but two hotels: the Sheraton and the Hilton! The two are now available for all the fans planning to attend the event at the links above - and check below for more information!

Transformers Collectors Club 2014 Convention

June 16 - 22, 2014
Event Venue : Event will be held off site.
The Sheraton Pasadena would like to extend a warm welcome to the attendees of the Transformers Collectors Club 2014 Convention!

PLEASE NOTE: Currently the nights of June 19, 20 and 21 are available in the block. All other nights are unavailable.
Updated 12/30/2013

Group rate available until June 2, 2014. Subject to Availability.

BotCon

Welcome to the BotCon reservation site!

A block of rooms have been reserved for June 16, 2014 - June 23, 2014. The special room rate will be available until May 17th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first.

Booking a reservation from our site is simple. To begin the process, click on "Book a Room" below to receive your group's preferred rate. Note: A first night's deposit is required upon reserving your guestroom. If the guestroom is cancelled 72 hours prior to check in, there is no cancellation fee and we will refund the deposit. If the guestroom is cancelled within 72 hours prior to check in, we will keep the one night deposit as the cancellation fee.

See you at the Hilton Pasadena in June! We hope you enjoy your stay and your group's event!

TFcon Chicago 2014 Hotel Block Now Available

Date: Monday, February 3rd 2014 1:27pm CST
Category: Event News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): TFcon

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Views: 14,077

The TFcon Chicago 2014 hotel block is now available. You can book your hotel room for TFcon Chicago 2014 by calling the Hyatt Regency O’Hare reservation department direct at 888-421-1442 or book online. When booking by phone, please ask for the TFcon rate to receive the discount. You can book your room via the 2014 hotel reservation website at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/tfco

The group rate is good for October 20th to October 29th, 2014 at the price of $139 per room. No deposit is required to reserve your room now. You have until the day before your reservation to cancel your room if you can’t make the convention.

Pete Sinclair Gives More Insight Into The Toys For BotCon 2014

Date: Saturday, February 1st 2014 6:19pm CST
Categories: Toy News, Event News
Posted by: LOST Cybertronian | Credit(s): The Allspark

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Views: 23,013

Pete Sinclair from BotCon answered a question about the upcoming toys at BotCon 2014 over at fellow fansite The Allspark. When asked if all the toys this year will be part of the theme Pirates vs. Knights or just the box set and will there be roughly equal number of Pirates and Knights? This is the answer Pete gave.

Pete@BotCon wrote:Yes, all the toys are Pirates and Knights. There are 5 Knights, 5 Pirates (there MAY be some more Pirates in the story though), some Pirate troop builders and one Decepticon rogue who may or may not end up on the side of the Pirates.





The story is very fun, and I can't wait to announce who was behind it this year

There you go folks, a little more info you can factor in when trying to guess the BotCon toys this year.

Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli

Date: Friday, January 31st 2014 6:58am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Event News, People News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Livio Ramondelli, Andrew Griffith

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Views: 31,082

In the next round of the Seibertron.com series of interviews, we are proud to bring you a special double feature: artists Livio Ramondelli and Andrew Griffith, two men who really need no introduction by now! Andrew, Livio, thank you for agreeing to chat about robots for a bit.



Va'al - The first question: We saw recently that you'll be attending a Japanese convention together, TransForMarket, this summer. How did it all happen? How were you contacted?

Andrew - Hello, and thanks for having us!

This actually came about out of a conversation we had last summer one evening during Botcon weekend. Livio and I were out having dinner with our editor and common friend John Barber, and this was the first time we really got to socialize together. We got talking about different conventions we had been to, and both expressed interest in attending a convention in Asia.

After researching a few shows and not getting very far, I reached out to a Japanese-American fan I made friends with at the same Botcon who was able to get in touch with some people she knew in Japan who organized fan conventions. It wasn't long after that until we got invited to TransForMarket and had a few fans in Japan excited to help us come over.



Livio - It's a pleasure to speak with you!

And yep, it's exactly what Andrew said. Both he and I do a decent amount of comic conventions in the United States, as well as both having attended the great Auto Assembly in England. We both really became interested in attending one in Japan and so we set out to gather as much information as possible. It's a pretty amazing time for comic conventions in general, there are more now than ever before and most of them seem to be growing larger every year.

I know both Andrew and I are thrilled to be attending TransForMarket. It's really exciting just to be able to visit Japan, as well as meet the readers over there. We've been in touch with some of them already and they seem like a great group of people.



Va'al - That's really intriguing, that you set out to find your audience, rather than the other way around! We all know Japan is a big part of the birth of the Transformers toy franchise, but how much do its current fans get from the English comics publications? How much interaction have you had with Japanese fans?

Livio - We certainly couldn't have done it without our friend that Andrew mentioned, as well as another friend currently living in Tokyo. Once Andrew and I expressed interest, they were the ones who really reached out to the convention runners and made this whole thing possible.

And so far, my experiences with the Japanese readers has been through deviantArt, E-Mail, and Twitter. We're obviously a more connected society than ever before, and it's been a true pleasure chatting with them. They all seem very up to date with what IDW is publishing, I think largely due to online sales and shipments rather than being carried in local stores. But that's definitely something I want to check out further when we arrive.

And yes, it's very exciting to be headed to the place where the toys originally came from!

Andrew - Once again Livio pretty much said it well. For the most part my interaction with the Japanese fans has pretty much been limited to our friend who is helping to set up some commissions for the convention, along with some back and forth with some fans on twitter.

I remember at Botcon and New York comic con in particular I interacted with a few Japanese fans who couldn't have been any friendlier and were very supportive of the work we've been doing.

And yes the idea of visiting the land where Transformers came from is very exciting!

And it's my understanding as well that the IDW comics don't get imported to shops there, so they have to get them through online sales or order them from overseas. But from everything I hear they're very passionate about it.

Va'al - From what I've seen on social media and various fansites, passionate is an understatement! I'm sure it'll be extremely exciting and flattering, dealing with an audience which can appear very different from the events you've attended so far. Is this your first time to Japan, then?



Livio - It's my first time, yeah! Japan (Tokyo in particular) has always been one of the places I've most wanted to see. It's really exciting that it's happening, especially under these circumstances where we get to interact with all the readership over there.

I'm really looking forward to making new friends over there the same way I was fortunate enough to make new friends in England and Australia when I attended conventions in those places.

Andrew - Yeah, first time for me as well. It should be a full trip. Between doing the show and meeting the new fans, seeing the busy streets of Tokyo and just generally soaking in the culture and food I'm sure it will be an eventful and exciting time. So much we both want to see there.

I have to admit I'm even excited to get to some of the stores over there and see what the geek culture is like and what different options Transformers have for collecting.

Va'al - It does sound like you'll both be hectic and super busy, I'll admit. So if I were to ask you to single out one thing you'd like to do while visiting, what would it be? Any Transformers-related business you'd like to attend to?



Livio - I agree with Andrew- I can't wait to see all the geeky shops and sample the culture. I imagine I will be buying tons of new books and toys, to further weigh down my luggage on the flight back.

As for one Transformers thing- I'd have to say just meeting the readers over there! I really like meeting the people who read these books and talking to them in person, no matter where they live. And Japan is an especially exotic location!

Andrew - Well the biggest thing will be what Livio said, just getting to meet fans who enjoy what we do and share the same passion makes it all worthwhile.

If I had to pick one "touristy thing," I'd be pretty torn between wanting to take in and fully experience the urban culture of anime shops, arcades and karaoke vs. wanting to take in the more traditional culture of cherry blossoms, Buddhist temples and zen water gardens.

And like Livio, I'd be surprised if my luggage doesn't weigh more on the trip home.

Va'al - Then I wish you all the best on your trip, and hope you have fun with the experience! Before we close up, is there anything else you'd like to plug to our readers? Any other events you'll be attending in the near future where fans can find you?



Andrew - Well, we'll both be attending the Emerald City Comic-Con this March in Seattle. I'm sorting out more shows thought the year, but Botcon and TFCon look likely and it's too early to announce but I'll likely have at least one more overseas Con to announce later this year.

Other than that, I hope everyone sticks around post-Dark Cybertron. Starting with issue 28 RID is taking a whole new direction that I hope everyone will enjoy. And if anyone's interested, you can always follow me on Twitter or deviantArt as glovestudios.

Livio - Thanks for the kind words! It's been great chatting with you.

Unfortunately I can't share what I'm currently working on- except to say that it involves robots and that news about it will be coming soon from IDW! And I'd like to thank everyone for reading and supporting the books, it means a lot!

Also I really like interacting with readers. If you'd like to get in touch with me or peruse some art follow me on Twitter, Instagram and deviantArt where my handle on all of those is the very original LivioRamondelli.



Thanks again to both Andrew and Livio for the very brief chat. Make sure you check out their work on the IDW comics, and drop by to say hi at any of the events they'll be attending. Stay tuned on Seibertron.com for more interviews with the minds and hands behind the comics soon!